A warm welcome back to Mark Boyter, who is another loyal supporter of our travel writing competitions. He is also the author of one of my favourite travel memoirs, Crescent Moon Over Laos. Enjoy Mark's first travel highlight in this year's competition entitled Kenji's Place.

Kenji's Place by Mark Boyter ​“My Fanny” was Kenji’s place. West end of Hirokoji, bank of the Horikawa. Foot of the Naya-bashi Bridge. Nagoya station-side. On the corner, tucked away. Financial district. The English pink neon sign looked better the later the night and best in August humidity. Through a heavy wooden door and follow the stale must of cigarettes down the stairs. Five tables. Six stools. Black Naugahyde corner nook. Wood paneling. A wall of Suntory whisky and Jack Daniels’. A bottle joint. Turquoise Strat hanging behind an upright piano. “Fanny?” I finally asked. “Chet Baker,” he said. “My favourite song. ‘My Fanny Valentine’.”

Naya bashi nagoya

Mark Boyter

​Mark is a traveller who writes, a writer who runs, a runner who drinks, and a drinker who loves movies. On rare occasions, he is all five.

From Vancouver, Canada and a teacher by training, he's lived and taught in his native Canada, Japan and the UAE.

His first book, Crescent Moon Over Laos, was published in 2014. He is working on other ideas that may or may not evolve into a second book, as well as a collection of short stories.

He lives in Vancouver with his long time partner and their three cats.​